The ‘Murang Pagkain Supercommittee’ convened recently to begin its inquiry into smuggling and price manipulation of basic goods and essential commodities, with the end-goal of crafting legislation to achieve zero hunger and promoting food and nutrition security.
The supercommittee is composed of the committees on ways and means chaired by Albay Representative Joey Salceda, trade and industry chaired by Iloilo Representative Ferjenel Biron, agriculture and food chaired by Quezon Representative Wilfrido Mark Enverga, social services chaired by Nueva Ecija Representative Rosanna Vergara and special committee on food security chaired by Nueva Vizcaya Representative Luisa Cuaresma.
The House supercommittee was convened pursuant to Resolution 254, authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
In his opening remarks, Salceda noted that the inquiry aims to uncover the gaps needed to be addressed in order to achieve and fulfill the aspiration of providing access to food for every Filipino family.
“The inquiry also aims to identify individuals who should be held accountable for undermining the nation’s food security.”
The veteran legislator added that the inquiry also aims to identify individuals who should be held accountable for undermining the nation’s food security.
For Enverga, effectively prosecuting those who undermine food security is essential to attaining a nation that is food secure and mitigating hunger.
“Addressing these unfair business practices would lead us to a food and nutrition secure nation, and eventually help mitigate hunger which is the ultimate goal of our honorable Speaker Martin Romualdez,” the veteran legislator pointed out.
“Food security is not just about having enough food—it is about ensuring that all people have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.”
“Food security is not just about having enough food—it is about ensuring that all people have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food,” Cuaresma added.
The lady lawmaker also acknowledged the challenges posed by climate change, economic inequality and other factors that exacerbate food insecurity. She then urged the joint committee to collaborate and innovate for solutions.
“We will define the scope of our collaboration, set our priorities, and map out a path for collective action,” Cuaresma added.
She also stressed the necessity for all individuals to have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, highlighting global challenges such as climate change and economic inequality that exacerbate food insecurity.
Salceda highlighted that the lack of cold storage significantly increases food prices and noted that the country’s weakness in the food value chain is structural with the highest post.
Marikina City Representative Stella Luz Quimbo highlighted the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), noting a significant increase in imports and a dramatic drop in the inflation rate from 23.13% to 8.83%.
However, Quimbo pointed out the minimal decrease in rice prices, from P51 per kilo to an average of P50.68.
Bureau of Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla reported foregone revenue of P12 billion since the policy’s implementation, with the landed cost of rice from Vietnam at 5% broken ranging between P39 to P40 per kilo, and from Myanmar at P38 to P39 per kilo, both at a 15% tariff rate.
“So ‘yun ang tanong natin di ba? Bakit hindi masyadong malaki ang effect on the levels. So baka nga merong pagsasabwatan,” Quimbo stated, raising concerns about potential collusion affecting price reductions.
ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Erwin Tulfo suggested the possibility of hoarding by rice importers, questioning the low utilization rates.
“Utilization mababa. May explanation kayo na unforeseen reasons ng mga rice importers, so hino-hold nila. Aren’t you considering that as hoarding?” Tulfo asked.
In response, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban explained that importers are required to use their imports within a certain duration under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPIC).
“Actually, yun pong paggamit po nila, pag-utilize, kasi nga po may duration ung SPIC natin. With regards to hoarding, I cannot comment po kung yun ay, I can consider it hoarding. Pero pinapag-explain po namin sila about their utilization,” Panganiban said.
He added that their primary concern is the sanitary and phytosanitary condition of the shipments, noting that utilization rates have increased from 50 percent previously.
Panganiban also mentioned that due to the Rice Tariffication Law, there is no limit on application quantities.
